DAMMING THE COLUMBIA RIVER

[HostDave]

At first glance, it would seem that riverboats and dams don’t mix. After all, a dam blocks the water flow of a river, usually forming a large lake behind. Once a river is dammed, riverboat traffic comes to an end. But there is one place in the Pacific Northwest where the addition of a dam has actually enhanced the journey instead of impeded it. Bonneville Dam on the Columbia River is a modern marvel that is sure to amaze and delight our guests on our newest addition, the elegant American Empress, on her 9-day voyages between Portland, OR and Clarkston, WA.

Bonneville Dam is an impressive structure stretching across the Columbia River about 40 miles east of Portland. Named after an early explorer, Benjamin Bonneville, who is given credit for surveying much of what became the Oregon Trail, the dam has made it on the list of National Historic Landmark Districts.

However, the massive project was little more than a dream in the first decades after Lewis and Clark forged their way through the area in the early 1800s. At the time, damming the river wasn’t seen as any great obstacle to progress since the Columbia River itself was a wilderness river that was notoriously hard to navigate in certain areas, particularly the Cascades Rapids near what is now the Bonneville Dam. To enhance the passage of riverboats along this vital watery lifeline through the rugged terrain, the Cascade Lock and Canal were built just before the dawn of the 20th century.

For the next 30 years, that was about the extent of improvements on the Columbia River until the Great Depression hit. As most students of history now, Franklin D. Roosevelt felt one of the surest roads back to economic stability and prosperity was with government spending on massive projects such as dams through the Public Works Administration. The US Army Corps of Engineers had earlier suggested multiple dams on the Columbia River and Roosevelt dusted off the idea as both a way of producing jobs and electricity for the region. Two huge projects, the Grand Coulee Dam and the Bonneville Dam, were given the green light in 1934 and more than 3,000 workers hired at the then-princely sum of 50 cents an hour.

Located far, far upstream, the Grand Coulee Dam didn’t present the same challenge to river commerce as the Bonneville Dam. It was clear from the earliest planning stages that the Bonneville Dam project would need locks to ensure that riverboats and barges could continue to navigate the Columbia River. This precluded a huge reservoir behind a soaring dam towering hundreds of feet high like the Hoover Dam.

Scale models were built to determine the best location for the dam and the locks to ensure maximum navigation, optimum hydroelectric power generation and minimal currents and erosion. The first step was to build a lock on the Oregon side of Bradford Island in the river and then a spillway on the Washington side. Erecting such a broad dam required dry land and several cofferdams were constructed to create a construction zone for the building of Bonneville Dam. It was a huge project finished in multiple stages that eventually saw the original lock inundated by the waters of the new Bonneville Reservoir. For a time, a lock built in 1938 was among the largest in the world but ongoing projects on the Columbia River have relegated it to also-ran status.

Work in and around the dam has been unending, with widened river channels, more powerhouses for electricity generation and extensions of the dam structure itself. Today, Bonneville Dam can produce 1,000 megawatts of electricity.

River navigation has always remained a priority and the 1938 lock was replaced in 1993 with a larger version. As the American Empress traverses this impressive engineering feat, guests can gaze down at the Depression-era lock which still exists, although it is no longer used for river traffic.

Bonneville Dam is an impressive achievement, consisting of two powerhouse/dam structures, one stretching 1,027 feet and a second measuring 986 feet long. The reservoir behind the dam is 48 miles in length and features spectacular views of the Columbia River Valley.

Of course, the view from the American Empress during one of her Columbia and Snake river cruises will be ever-changing and Bonneville Dam is just one of several attractions. However, it is noteworthy enough that the dam and the Columbia River Gorge Interpretive Center are both featured on one of our complimentary Hop-On, Hop-Off tours.

If you want to experience the American Empress for yourself and see Bonneville Dam in person, then there’s no better time to make your reservations than right now. You can save up to $400 per stateroom* on any voyage from June through October, 2014 if you book and pay-in-full by March 31, 2014. Or you might prefer a two-category upgrade** on any departure of the American Queen on the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland rivers in 2014 and any 2014 Pacific Northwest sailing on our new American Empress as well. Again, just book and pay-in-full by March 31, 2014.

*Book by March 31, 2014, pay-in-full and Save $400 per stateroom ($200 per person) on any 2014 June-October American Empress voyage. Full payment is required at time of booking to redeem this offer. Offer expires on March 31, 2014. This offer cannot be combined with other offers, promotions or discounts; not valid on Group bookings or existing reservations. Savings are only on the price of the cruise, not valid on taxes, port charges, insurance, gratuities, or airfare. Promotional fares and amenities are capacity controlled, may vary by sailing and category of accommodations and may be withdrawn without notice. Fares quoted are in U.S. dollars, are per person and do not include air or land transportation. Port Charges of $69 to $159 per person are additional and not included in the fare. Additional terms and conditions may apply – call for details.

** Offer expires March 31, 2014 and is valid on new, paid-in-full bookings only. Full payment at time of booking is required to redeem this offer. Estimated savings of up to $3200 ($1600 per person) is based on double occupancy for a standard American Queen 9 day voyage. Offer is not valid on Group bookings or existing reservations and cannot be combined with other offers, promotions or discounts. The free 2 cabin category upgrade means that guests will be placed in cabin(s) that are 2 sequential categories above initial cabin(s) requested at time of reservation. This offer is not valid on cabin upgrades into American Queen categories LS, AAA, SO and SI; andAmerican Empress categories LS, A and CS. This offer is based on cabin availability and only while inventory lasts. Cruise fare does not include taxes, port charges, insurance, gratuities, or airfare. Additional terms and conditions may apply - call for details.